Monday, December 10, 2007

Throw Back This

The only thing better looking than the throwback jerseys the Lakers wore last night (in picture above) was the way they played. Andrew Bynum tied a career high with 20 points, the Lakers controlled the pace, running selectively, and slowing it down to run the triangle when appropriate, and they came out with their ninth straight win over the Warriors, 123-113.

Without Luke Walton, Trevor Ariza showed why the Lakers traded for him. Against a team like the athletic Warriors, Arizona is better suited to be on the floor than Walton anyway. Ariza scored 11 points and grabbed four rebounds, but more importantly, he got to the free throw line 10 times. Against an aggressive and attacking team, he was the aggressor. Maybe against a team like the Spurs, Walton's basketball IQ and his ability to move the ball and be in the right position will help the Lakers. It's now nice to have two guys in the back up small forward role who the Lakers can use to their advantage. Good riddance Brian Cook and Maurice Evans.

As for Bynum, he continues to show improvement.

"I thought that was one of the keys, to have Andrew and Ronny (Turiaf) effectively tag-team with each other out there," coach Phil Jackson said, according to the LA Times.